Kambala – A Traditional Celebration in Rural Karnataka

January 7, 2019

The Kambala Race, also known as Kambala is a traditional water buffalo race in muddy waters. The event takes place almost every weekend in northern parts of Kasargod, especially Kumbla and Manjeshwar during the months of November and December. It is the native sport of Tulu Nadu, believed to have originated from the farming community of Karnataka.

Presently, Kambala played as recreational sport by the farmers. The buffalo race said to be over 1000 years old. The event conducted before the harvesting season commences. It is a way showing gratitude to the gods who are believed to protect their crops from destruction. Paddy fields filled with slush are used as tracks for the race and the event consists of two pairs of buffaloes controlled by a whip-lashing farmer. The winners are rewarded with money. Kambala has become an organized, professional sport which pulls a large crowd from different parts of the state.

Kambala Categories:

A “Kambala Committee” arranges races in several categories describing the outfitting of the buffaloes. Typical categories are:

Negilu (ನೇಗಿಲು: plough), in which the buffaloes are tied to an apparatus resembling a plough, but lighter.

Hagga (ಹಗ್ಗ: rope), in which a rope is tied directly to the buffaloes.

Adda halage (ಅಡ್ಡ ಹಲಗೆ: cross wooden block), where the driver stands on a plank on top of the buffaloes.

Types of Kambalas

The celebration of Bale Kambala was discontinued about 900 years ago. So, the Kambala that is today, is the Pookere Kambala variety.

Source: Kerala Tourism

All Kambala races start at around 8-9AM and go on till late into next day morning non-stop. Kambala goes on non-stop day and night for as much as 24-36 hours till all the winners are declared, depending on the buffalo pairs.

Kambala Event Date:

You can click on the link to get the Google map location of Kambala venue.